Restaurant SEO: getting found on Google

Last updated 12 October 2026 · By the XKey team

Where do people find somewhere to eat?

Searches like "pub food near me", "Sunday roast Lytham", "best curry Blackpool" or "breakfast open now" show a map of nearby places with ratings and photos. People compare a few, check the menu and prices, look at opening times and either book, order or turn up. Your Google listing does most of the work; your website backs it up.

What matters most on my Google Business Profile?

• Correct opening hours, including bank holidays and special hours. Turning up to a closed door is the fastest way to a one-star review.
• Lots of recent photos: dishes, the room, the outside so people can find you. Real photos outperform stock ones.
• Your menu added to the profile, plus links for booking and ordering.
• Attributes such as outdoor seating, dog-friendly, vegan options, wheelchair access – they help you appear for searches that include them.
• Replies to reviews, good and bad. Diners read them.

The Google Business Profile guide covers setup step by step.

How should I put my menu online?

As real text on a web page, not only a PDF or a photo of the printed menu. Google, AI assistants and people on slow phone connections can all read a text menu easily, and dish names like "slow-cooked lamb shank" or "gluten-free pizza" help you match what people search. Include prices and mark allergens and dietary options. If you change the menu seasonally, update the page, not just the PDF.

What should a restaurant website include?

• Address with a map, phone number and opening hours on every page (usually in the footer).
• Menu pages in text, with prices.
• A clear "Book a table" or "Order online" button.
• Pages for what makes you different: private dining, events, Sunday lunch, live music, takeaway.
• Restaurant structured data with cuisine, price range, hours and menu link – make it with the schema generator.

Do delivery apps help my SEO?

Listings on Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats can rank for your name and bring orders, but they take commission and the customer belongs to them. Make sure your own site and Google profile link to your own ordering or phone number too, so people who search your name can order direct.

How do local links and press help a restaurant?

Food bloggers, local news "best of" lists, tourism sites, event listings and the suppliers you buy from all link to restaurants. Invite local writers to a new menu launch, get listed on your town's visitor site, and mention local producers on your menu – they often link back.

Frequently asked questions

Should my menu be a PDF?

Have it as text on a web page first. A downloadable PDF is fine as an extra, but on its own it's slower on phones and harder for search engines to read.

How do I get more Google reviews for my restaurant?

Ask at the end of the meal, add your review link or a QR code to the bill, and reply to every review. Never offer a discount in return for a review.

Do I need a website if I'm on Google Maps and Instagram?

It's worth having one, even small: a text menu, hours, booking and contact details. It helps you appear for more searches and keeps working if a social account has problems.